Covering for toy torpedoes



Sept. 22, 1-931. K. KOHN COVERING FOR TOY TORPEDOES Filed June 8, 1929 Patented Sept. 22, 1931 stares rarest non; Kenn, or

I-IEW' I ear:

COVERING FQR TOY TOR-PEDOES Application filed June This'invention relates to pyrotechnics and more particularly to the provision ofa gastight' and water-proof covering for certain fireworks.

It is a-general object of the present invention'to-provide a novel and improved waterproof and gas-tight covering for pyrotechnic devices an'd-a method of applying the same.

Specifically the invention comprises envelopin various pyrotechnic devices with a metal' covering preferably seamless and homogeneous.

' Among the numerous features of novelty of the invention may be specifically mentioned: the use ofthe process of electrodeposition' of metal for providing a continuous gas tight covering about various pyrotec'hni'c devices; the coating of fireworks suchjfor instance, as toy torpedoes with a covering of metal over a frangible casing so that the casing can be broken Within the metal shell to cause explosion and the gases confined temporarily by the metal to-produce a loud report upon disruption of the metal; the provision in the metal coating of one or more zones of weakness or sections of less thickness or strength than others to disrupt initially so that the largest part of the debris of the inner frangible casing is held within the ruptured metal shell and thus pre vented from flying under the force of the explosion.

The invention also includes unique features involved in the method of applying metal coverings to pyrotechnic devices.

While the invention has been shown and described particularly in connection with toy torpedoes of globular shape, it is to be understood that it is not. limited to this particular pyrotechnic but is of wide scope and may be used. on blasting cartridges, firecrackers, and 1 various other, pyrotechnic devices whereit is particularly desirable. either to .insure their water-tightness or moisture: proofucss. or to provide a. tough gas-tight casing toenhance. the explosion, and'it. is intended that the invention be only limited in accordance with the claims appended tothe following application.

In the drawings accompanying the application:

Figure 1 is an elevation of toy torpedo constructed according to the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the same;

Figure 3 shows a torpedo in a plating bath arranged to receive less metal. coating on one portion of its surface than on the remaindr-zr;

Figure 4 shows a further development in the method providing zones of weakness;

Figure 5 shows a still further method of providing Zone of weakness;

Figure 6 is an elevation. partly broken awayto show the weakened portion of the casing resulting from the process using the apparatus of Figure 5; and

Figures 7 and8 show two steps in a method of providing a pair of weakened zones inthe coating.

-Inthe-1nanufacture of pyrotechnics there are-often occasions where it is necessary to provide a water-proof casing or covering for various articles or where it desirable to have a gas tight covering about, for instance. explosive devices to increase the volume of sound by holding the gases until they have accumulated sufiicicnt pres to rimture the casing. The present invention contemplates forming such a covering of metal and more particularly of electr'o-deposi"-l metal or metal deposited by spraying o i any other suitable fashion to form a more or less homogeneous. continuous surf For purposes of convenience only. the nweution is disclosed in connection with the form of toy torpedoshown in mv Patent No. 1.6 (LE-314's, for safetytorpedoes. granted v 1928.

As seen inFigure 2 of this application, a

torpedo constructed according to that patent is formedfrom a casino; or container 10 of some frangible material such as a molded bitumen-or'pitch composition having a central compartment 11- closed by sealed cap 12 formed of the same material. -he particular torpedo in question has a central member 13 projecting up'into the cavity 11 with its surface andthe surface of the cavity walls coatedwith abrasive material 14.- sd that when new renn n. 5., Assrenoa TO err-Arrears srnorenrr cenronnrron, or scan, it. Y., .a conron-erron or olien by impact and more perie pro ection 13 1" broken off L71 the explosive 15 will so abraded covering around the ex- 3 KL 3 .1 i or, owing to 12$ lrangiblluner does not provide any the gases resulting from the osive so that but a slight put? i the alone were used.

In accordance w th the u'esentinvention this outer covering 16 is formed of metal; preferably of some e p metal such. as (EU-D1781", brass, non of the The surface of tne inner casino; being?non-conductive must be suitably prepared in order that the metal covering can be QlQQtlO-aTlQfjOSliGCl th icon, eltho h it will be obvious that other wz'zys of lying the meter in"- resorted. o, sucln or instance as dippi I or otherwise depositing, or by criinpingor spinnin of sheet metal. However the nisin object of t 1e invention is to provide electrodeposited metal, and for this purpose the surface of the casing- 10 is suitably coated with a layer 1'? of some adhesive substzi n ce or some substance which softens the surface of the casing); to make it tacky, Assn example oi the adhesive material may be nientionod shell 0, human, or other varnishes and oi. the second :11 once, benzzol or sonie ot .er solvent or p1. (nil solvent of the lnateriul'o'f the casing. ihis sticky layer is then coated with a layer 18 of an electrical. conductor;

such, for instance, bronze powdergcopper dust. fine iron filings grzuihite plu nbae'o or the like, and thereafter the torpedo is inrmersed in :1 suitable plating hath sn'd in accordance with well known principles. be-

comes the cuthode'in an electric circuit of which the anode may be a sheet of the metal to be plated.

For expe mental purposes or for small production, each torpedo may be suspended from wire connected to the negative side of the circuit but obviously this would bef'unlerge quantityproduction is and hcre'resort may be had to s who or basket in which a torpedoes are placed and e. coo-n 5, on all sides, insde between the various tor- 1' etol basket.

"nd by actual experiment 7 inn; a pitch mastic explowl'cu overed with :m elcctroj upproxiinstely .005 of an sire umiuim ht covering; yields sut a great improvement over the present practice where the casing; of a torpedo is either oi paper, wood hber, sawdust, or the like stuck together with some suitable adhesive.

Torpedoes of this type require from 24 to 48 hours drying in an oven to remove all the moisture, and there is grave danger of the heat used for this drying causing; .prenurture explosions. According to the present inventiom the covering can be placed on in severelliours, and no drying is necessary. Elie meta-l covering is particularly ideal for toy torpedoes having a frangible explosive container in th at it acts as a protecting-structure when the torpedoes are packed or stored in warm places. If: the pitch mastic is used to the casing; and a number of torpedoes are packed in a single carton the weight of those uppermost will be carried to some extent by those on the bottom of the curton and there is tendency toward deformation, but the inetal covering; obviates this difficulty and Willcurry considerable weight without distortion; It furthermore gives absolute insur'ance -=against the entrance of moisture which has been one of the bug-bears of fireworks manufacturers resulting in a'g'reat number of niistires. The pitch mastic e2;- plo ve container is m particular value for use with a nietul covering since it is initial- ],y watertight and can be placed. in a. plating)? both Withoutdifliculty.

As is well-known, the texture of electrodeposited metal cen be of various consistencies in accordance with the rate of deposition current density. throwing power ot'the solution, and the use of additions in the solution. It is of course, highly desirable in this present device to huve the metal of such texture as to give it considerable'tenacitv so that any rupturing which takes place tears but a small hole in the covering which permits the debris of the inner container to remainjwithin the coverinv. Inthis vconnection it has been found by experiment that it is sometimes highly desirable to provide one or moreot what may be termed zones of weakness in the coating to insure rupture at particu ar places. This will prevent for instance such, happenings as .the whole globe dividing in. two parts. each traveling; 'n on opposite direction as the result of the explosion. Figures 3 and 8 suggest various methods of providing a weakened zone in the cover.

In Figure 3 a torpedo 20 is shown in the plating bath supported on a cathode 21 of conducting material connected to the generator and provided with a projection 22 having its top surface shaped to fit the contour of the torpedo casing and having all the remainder of the cathode covered with insulation as 23. If the plating takes place under these conditions, it is obvious that there will be no covering on that portion of the casing which contacts with the projection 22, or ii the fit is not exact, there will be but a thin covering at this place so that rupture of the covering will be insured in the zone covered by the weakest cover.

Figure 4 shows a cathode 25 supporting a torpedo 20, and it is assumed that the whole is arranged in a plating Here there are two points or two zones of contact between the inner casing and the cathode which is of trough-like form. This will provide a pair of zones of weakness spaced some distance apart, in the construction shown about 90.

Figure 5 shows a cathode 26 provided with a series of holes 2'? therein and covered with insulation everywhere except at the or of the holes as 28. If torpedoes are placed over each hole and plated, they will receive a coating; such as shown in Figure 6 where the main coating 16 is provided with an annular zone 29 of no coating, or at most a very thin coating, thus insuring that the disruption of the casing shal take place at this particular zone.

In the arrangement shown in Figures 7 and 8, use is made, for instance, of a device similar to that shown in Figure 3, and Figure 7 discloses the torpedo casing 10 in elevation having received an initial coating 30 on all but the surface resting on the cathode 21. After this coating has attained a thickness of, say, .003 of an inch, the torpedo is moved so that another portion rests on the cathode. In Figure 8 the torpedo is shown as having been rotated through 180 although this is not necessary. A second coating of, say, .005 of an inch is then applied. This is homogeneous with the first coating", and the dividingg' surface is only shown in Figure 8 by the dotted circle 31. This second coating will be applied to the portion 32 that was not plated initially, and the portion 33 initially pl will. not receive the second coating so taat there will. be a zone at the top having a coating; only as thick as the second application and one at the bottom having a coating as thick as the first application of metal, whereas the rest of the torpedo will have a coating approximately .008 of an inch thick.

The electro-deposition of metal by the process which leaves one or more weakened zones has several advantages. It does not seriously mar the appearance of the finished article,

and it permits of a convenient way of providinp; electrical contact with the torpedo Lately there have been developed processes fon-el'ectrofdeposition'of noncondncting materials :SHCll, f'OY'HIStaIICB, as ruhberand the present invention contemplates the use of such processes and materials and is not lim- H ited to metal coverings. In the following claims it intended that the expression electro-deposited matter shall cover all material deposited'fby the use of an electric current. I I "Having thus described the invention, what is claiinet new and'desired to be so ured by Letters Patent is:

toy torpedocomprising a casing of his material having a cavity, explosive 7' nd in said cavity and completely onng coverinq' of thin metal. I ll. tov torpedocompr a frangible ina e ialhaving a cavity, explosive compound in said cavity and a gas t ght covering forsaid casing composed of a continnous metal envelope. 3. In a toy torpedo, in combination, tight casino; of'frengihle, moulded mat-e1. 1a: having a cavity thereiiu explosive and abra. means in said avity adapted to cause letonation upon crs casing of material. deiormatioi metal envelope around tion, a frangible casing, an

in combinsu al sive compound herein, means to exi'i o 1d coniponnd upon the breaking: on F1 ca ino: and a readily bendable metal cover closely enveloping said casing.

6. A firework including: a. n vrotochnic compound, a surrounding; m e ot protective material and a tight inecovering said casin said covcompletely enveloping erin ha-vin a zone of thinness to locafze the initial disruption.

7. A firework includir compound, a. sin-rounding c5 tive material and tight me pletely enveloping said (I having a plurality of zon localize the initial disruption.

8. A firework includingpy compound, an enclosing means for sa pound and a plated metal casn r r" i said means, said casing having at le st a single zone where the metal is mater ly thinner than in the remainder of the casing.

9. A gas-tight covering for a composed of an envelope of dep: the major portion of which is 0.. ..-i.hst:.n1- tially uniform thickness and the remainder of less thickness.

10. A'toy torpedo comprising casing of frangible material having a cavit explosive compound in said cavity, a gas tight p i t m x covering for said CJSlIlgOOHlPOSGClOfZL582 111: less metal. envelope having a zone of Weaklit-35S.

a A toy torpedo having an outer, gascov ing of metal and means to cause upti of said metal Wiihin a pre- (let-ernin n l zone upon explosion.

19. A nrework comprising an explosive compound, a container for said compound,

a as-tight de osited-metal coating enclosor, means to detonate-said compound upon impact, said coating being deposited in such a manner as to provide a Zone of initial disruption upon explosion.

13. A toy torpedo including a casing having a closed cavity, explosive material-in said cavity and a covering of electro-deposited matter enveloping said casing.

29 14. In a toy torpedo, in coanbinationpa completely Water-proof casing having a closed internal cavity explosive niaterialin said cavity and a coating of electro-deposited matter enveloping said casing.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature.

KOBY KOHN. 

